Raul Albiol starts 2025 as La Liga’s oldest player. At 39, he remains intact in Villarreal’s schemes and, despite the fact that his contract expires at the end of the season, there are no plans to retire at the moment in the first seasons, he assures that he would like to play “until the age of 45” if could perform at an appropriate level.
Long vacations. “We would have liked to come sooner, to play in the cup, but the fate of the relegation allowed us to switch off for a few days and enjoy the family a little more. We only have the league and now we have to focus on the goal, which is to get into Europe.”
Follow the line for 2024. “The good thing is that the second round of last season and the first of this season are added. It seems that the line of the team is good. We need to improve especially at home and with the number of goals conceded. By solving these two things, we will definitely enter Europe.”
Wishes for 2025. “The most important desire in sports is health, not having injuries and enjoying and playing. The rest comes with work and preparation.”
Missed goals. “There were times when we deserved to concede a lot of goals because they created a lot of chances for us, but there were others when they created very little and they still scored against us. They punished us a lot. We continue to work towards its solution, it is a collective problem, and this indicator should be reduced. We missed points that could have hurt us, but there is time to get stronger.”
“Real Sociedad” party. “The line-up away from home has been very good. We go to a difficult stadium, every time we have gone there, there have been close matches. But there is time to prepare, to arrive well and to finish the first round closer to fourth place, which is the first prize. We all want that prize and we have to beat direct rivals like La Real, who, although they have not started well, are at their level. conquest and is going to fight for those positions.”
Main month for competitors. “If you want to play in the Champions League, it doesn’t matter whether it’s January, February or March. It requires a lot of consistency throughout the season, both at home and away. We’ve had it away, but not at home. To be fourth is very difficult because the first three are clear and we are fighting it out between several teams.”
Pau Navarro. “I see him as very similar to Pau Torres in terms of personality and attitude. They are different profiles. Torres was left-handed and he is right-handed, he can play several positions. But they are two native players, and the most important thing is the desire to learn and improve every day. We try to help him, give him good advice and not let him make the mistakes we made as a young man. “He is the player of the club’s future.”
End of the contract. “I want to play until I’m 45, but I don’t know if I’ll do it. I’m going year after year, I feel good, I’m happy because I’m healthy and without injuries. I’m working to be good because today’s football is very demanding. The most important thing for me is the team to meet the goals of returning to Europe. In my case, I help as much as possible on and off the field, then I don’t know what will happen. I’m thinking about enjoying every game because I know time flies and it doesn’t last forever. Then we’ll see what we do.”
Enjoy every moment. “When you’re young, you have years to recover from any injuries. At a certain age, things are more delicate, so it’s more important to avoid them. For that, I only ask you to be good, the rest is my business. Every game you don’t know if it will be the last in San Mamés, in the stadiums you have visited for many years, I enjoy every moment, which makes me happy. If I am here, it is because I am I have a passion for this sport and that’s why I continue.”
Greater effort. “Preparation costs you more than when you were 20 years old. Everything requires more time, more volume of everything: preparation, work, much more taking care of yourself. I like to compete, that’s why I do it. I don’t mind investing time to take care of myself, to be well. I don’t know what will happen in a few months, but today I’m still hungry.”
Play until 45. “Maldini played until the age of 41, and I want to play until the age of 45. In Italy, many players reach the age of 40. It seems more normal, less in Spain. Seeing me able to compete, maintaining my ambitions, is what will decide me to continue, to maintain the level of demand. Otherwise, I will quit.”
Stay connected with football. “I’m going to continue with football, no matter what. It’s been my life since I was a kid, I’ve seen all the games, the players. That’s what I like the most, when I can’t compete, I’ll stay connected. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, but that’s my life and it will be until the last day.”